2. DEFINITION:
OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE ARE USUALLY
DEFINED AS DISEASES ARISING OUT OF OR IN THE
COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT.
(or)
Damage to the lung caused by dust or fumes or noxious
substances inhaled by the workers in certain specific
occupations is known as “occupational lung diseases”.
3. CLASSIFICATION
Occupational disease are grouped as under;
Diseases due to physical agents ( heat, cold, light,
pressure, noise)
Diseases due to chemical agents ( Gases, dusts)
Diseases due to biological agents (anthrax, encephalitis,
fungal infections)
Diseases of psychological origin (hypertension, peptic
ulcer)
Occupational cancer (cancer of skin, lung and bladder)
4. PNEUMOCONIOSIS
Pneumoconiosis can be defined as the non- neoplastic
reaction of lungs to inhaled minerals or organic dust
and the resultant alteration in their structure excluding
asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
It is also known as “ Black lung disease”
5.
6. TYPES
SILICOSIS – From silica dust
ASBESTOSIS – From asbestos dust
COAL WORKER – From coal dust
BYSSINOSIS – From cotton dust
BAGASSOSIS – From sugarcane dust
FARMER’S LUNG – From mold spores or other
agricultural products
BERYLLIOSIS – From beryllium
7. SILICOSIS Among the occupational diseases, silicosis is the major
cause of permanent disability and mortality. It is caused by
inhalation of dust containing free silica or silicon dioxide.
Particles between 0.5 to 3 micron are the most dangerous
because they reach the interior of the lungs with case.
The particles are ingested by the phagocytes which
accumulate and block the lymph channels.
Pathologically, silicosis is characterized by a dense
“nodular” fibrosis, the nodules ranging from 3 to 4 mm in
diameter.
8.
9. Clinical Features
Chronic cough
Dyspnea on exertion
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Chest pain
Acute silicosis patients may also have fever and experience
rapid, unintended weight loss
Impairment of total lung capacity(TLC)
Shortness of breath
10. INVESTIGATION History & physical examination
Chest x-ray – snow storm
appearance in the lung fields.
CT Scan
Sputum test – helps to evaluate
other lung diseases, like TB
11. TREATMENT
There is no cure for silicosis right now.
Treatments can help to reduce symptoms.
Medications
- inhaled steroids reduce lung mucus.
- Bronchodilators help to relax breathing
passages.
Oxygen therapy
Lung transplant – if you have advanced lung damage.
12.
13. PREVENTIONLimit the time exposed to silica.
Use respirators that protect you from inhaling silica
Wear a mask or other protective clothing while you work
around it.
Stop smoking.
Avoid secondhand smoke and areas with lot of dust, air
pollution and allergens.
14. COMPLICATION
SILICOTUBERCULOSIS – Silica is cytotoxic to alveolar
macrophages so patients are at risk of tuberculosis.
Autoimmune disorder – rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma.
Malignancy
15. ASBESTOSIS
It is know as “diffused pulmonary fibrosis”
which is caused by inhalation of asbestos
fibers.
It is most often seen with those who work with
asbestos or asbestos containing products.
The presence of asbestos in the lungs
eventually causes scarring or “fibrosis” which
may later result in the formation of tumors and
the development of cancer.
16. SYMPTOMS OF ASBESTOSIS
Asbestosis do not appear quickly.
It take as long as to begin to recognize symptoms that
indicate a problem with the lungs.
Shortness of breath
Dyspnea
Persistent dry cough
Blood in the sputum.
Chest tightness
Loss of appetite.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Clubbing of fingers.
17. INVESTIGATIONS Chest X-ray – irregular opacities in the
lower lobes, heart border becomes shaggy.
In later stages of diseases, there is a honey –
comb likeness and volume loss.
Pulmonary function test.
Lung biopsy.
Bronchial lavage.
18. Asbestosis – Related pleural abnormalities
Four types of abnormalities:
Pleural plaques
Benign asbestos pleural effusions
Diffuse pleural thickening
Pleural disease puts patient at risk for other asbestos related diseases – 10%get interstitial fibrosis within 10yrs.
Mostly asymptomatic though some can cause dyspnea, cough
Latency periods: 10-30yrs.
No specific treatment
Pleurectomy in severe cases
19. MESOTHELIOMAS Both pleural and peritoneal are also associated with
asbestos exposure
In contrast to lung cancer, these tumors do not appear to be
associated with smoking. Relatively short term asbestos
exposure of 1-2yrs, occurring up to 40yrs in the past, have
been associated with the development of mesotheliomas.
>80% of mesotheliomas are associated with asbestos
exposure.
20. TREATMENT
Removal of any ongoing asbestos exposure.
Quit smoking.
Immunizations against pneumococcal pneumonia and
influenza.
Patients may require home oxygen therapy.
Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs do not
alter the disease.
21. BYSSINOSIS Byssinosis is a lung disease caused by prolonged
inhalation of cotton fibre dust
Other names for Byssinosis include Monday fever,
brown lung fever disease, mill fever or cotton
workers lung.
22. RISK FACTORS
SMOKING
IMPAIRED LUNG FUNCTION
BRONCHITIS
ASTHMA
INFECTIONS
HISTORY OF RESPIRATOEY ALLERGY.
23. SYMPTOMS Tightness in the chest
Wheezing
Coughing
Dyspnea
Fever
Shivering
Tiredness
24. GRADING OF BYSSINOSIS
Grade 0 – No symptoms on first day of work
Grade ½ - Occasional chest tightness or irritation of
respiratory tract on every the first workday of week
Grade 1 – Chest tightness on every first day of work week.
Grade 2 – Chest tightness on first and other days of work
week.
Grade 3 – Chest tightness on first and other days of work
week and physiological evidence of permanent disability.
25. DIAGNOSIS
Detailed medical history.
Physical examination.
Pulmonary function test.
Chest X- ray
CT
Spirometry.
26. PREVENTION Enclosure of processing of cotton.
Quit smoking.
Wear protective gears.
Increase ventilation.
Avoid long term exposure.
27. BAGASSOSIS
Bagassosis is the lung disease caused by inhalation of
sugarcane dust.
This is the form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
29. DIAGNOSIS
A Chest is enough for a confirmatory diagnosis of
bagassosis as it will show mottling of lungs or may show a
shadow.
30. FARMER’S LUNG
Farmer’s lung is a disease caused by an allergy to the mold
in certain crops.
It is usually caused by breathing in dust from hay, corn,
grass of animal feed, tobacco or some pesticides.
31. SYMPTOMS Dry irritating cough
Fever and chills
Rapid breathing
Rapid heart rate
Shortness of breath
Sudden feeling that you’re sick
32. DIAGNOSIS
Pulmonary function test
Bronchoscopy
Lung biopsy
TREATMENT
Avoid dusty work
Wear a mask or other protective equipment
Avoid exposure to the offending allergen.
33. BERYLLIOSIS
Berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease is a chronic
allergic type lung , response and exposure to beryllium and
its compounds, a form of beryllium poisoning.
36. DIAGNOSIS
Complete medical history
Physical examination – abnormal lung sounds may be heard.
Chest X-ray
Pulmonary function test
Lung biopsy
37. TREAMENT
Minimize exposure in the workplace.
Corticosteroid drugs
Breathing support such as use of ventilators.
Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment should be
done.